Details of March sightings compiled by John Thompson will appear on the Monthly Sightings page.
41 Comments
Mike&Andy 31st March 2022
3 Sand Martins at Doddington this morning but not a lot else.The 2 Shelduck that have been present all week weren’t on show and only Kestrel,Raven,Red-lPartridge,Raven,Stock Dove,3 Teal and 5 Shoveler of any note.
Colin 29th March 2022
Egrets are hanging on at Rode Pool with 1 great and 3 lesser this morning. Nest count made in the heronry and gave a total of 47 nests (48 last Year)
Colin 28th March 2022
At Doddington this morning duck numbers continue to go down with just 39 tufted and 14 shoveler although it was good to get a few swans back on the water with a total of nine seen.
Glyn Jones 28th March 2022
28th March 2022 – 1000
Borrow Pit Meadows
2 noisy Ravens over, 4 Chiffchaff, Common Buzzard and a Blackcap heard but not seen but later confirmed by another birder.
2 Canada Geese on pool
Queen’s Park, Crewe – 1500
Drama at last year’s Great Spotted Woodpecker nest site, two Nuthatches had made their home there but this afternoon a female Great Spotted Woodpecker turned up and evicted the Nuthatches and then cleared the nest site out.
John 28th March 2022
21 – 27 Mar
EHF/PHF: Oystercatcher, Avocet, LR Plover, Bl-t Godwit, Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Y-l Gull, Great W Egret, Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, Brambling, Reed Bunting
Alsager: Raven, Skylark, Yellowhammer
Astbury Mere: Goldeneye, Black-necked Grebe, Med & Common Gull, Sand Martin, Brambling
Basford: R-l Partridge
Blakenhall: R-l Partridge
The Cloud: Stonechat
Congleton: Mandarin, Goosander, Kingfisher, Dipper, Grey Wagtail
Danebower: Red Kite, Raven, Stonechat, Wheatear, Meadow Pipit
Doddington: Gadwall, Pochard, Goldeneye, R-l Partridge, Oystercatcher, Snipe, Raven, Reed Bunting
Meremoor Moss: Oystercatcher, Skylark, Siskin
Mow Cop: Green Woodpecker, Kestrel, Lapwing, Skylark
Queens Park: L Owl, Grey Wagtail
Rode Heath/Scholar Green: L Egret, Common & Y-l Gull
John 25th March 2022
Spent the morning at Doddington in the hope of seeing some hirundines. No luck but noted R-l Partridge by the wet area close to the main road – viewed from the gated entrance to the units.
One Raven looked to be dominating the sky above the Hall: I watched it ‘escort’ another Raven ( that appeared from the east ) away from the area, then repeat the action with it, or another Raven, in the opposite direction. Four birds seen in the air together while I could hear another three calling.
– Singing birds: – Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Goldcrest, Song Thrush & Nuthatch
– Displaying birds: – GC Grebe, GS Woodpecker & Skylark
– Adult with food: – Carrion Crow
I heard a Gadwall, saw a Snipe fly overhead, probably disturbed by the nearby horses being exercised also c35 very mobile Linnet.
Most of the species reported on the blog earlier this month also present.
Driving back way home via Wrinehill, while passing through Blakenhall, I noted R-l Partridge on the grass verges at both ends of the village.
Back at home while making a cuppa, I watched through the window as a House Mouse pinch peanuts off my bird table and then run back under my neighbour’s garden shed!
An attentive pair of Mallard with a single, recently fledged, duckling at Mere Moor Fishery today – presumably the rest of the brood were predated?
Mike&Andy 23rd March 2022
Shoveler up to 49 at Doddington this afternoon but little other change.
John 23rd March 2022
Yesterday afternoon at Alsager ( Fannyscroft ): Jay, Rook ( singing? ), Raven, displaying Skylark, a very green Chiffchaff & a couple of Yellowhammer.
This morning at the viewpoint at Cheshire Close ( Mow Cop ): a Green Woodpecker yaffling in the distance ( coming from Roe Park, one of my SWaBBS patches – hopefully it sticks around and I can put it on my list next month? ). Also, singing Skylark and a displaying pipit. Two birds seen in the area where Tree Pipits were reported in previous years…..
Popped in to Elton Hall Flash for the Avocets on the way home via Astbury Mere CP for the Black-necked Grebe.
Mike&Andy 21st March 2022
A decent count of 29 Shoveler at Doddington this morning but winter wildfowl on the wane with 2 Pochard and 9 Goldeneye showing.Around the pool,Raven,5 Oystercatchers,Stock Doves,Coal Tit and Nuthatch on the feeders and a mixed flock of mostly Fieldfare and Redwing in trees along the main road.
John 21st March 2022
14 – 20 Mar
EHF/PHF: Garganey, Gadwall, Pintail, Oystercatcher, LR Plover, Bl-t Godwit, Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Great W Egret, Skylark, Sand & House Martin, Swallow, Grey Wagtail, L Redpoll, Siskin, Reed Bunting
Astbury Mere: Goldeneye, Sand Martin
Borrow Pit M/Salt Line: Willow Tit
Checkley: R-l Partridge, Stock Dove, Brambling
Crewe GC: Egyptian Goose
Danebower: Wheatear
Doddington: Gadwall, Pochard, Goldeneye, Oystercatcher, Snipe, Grey Wagtail, Reed Bunting
Lawton Lake/Woods: Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail
Meremoor Moss: Water Rail, Oystercatcher, Kestrel, Skylark, Siskin
Mow Cop: Lapwing, Skylark, Brambling
Rode Heath/Scholar Green: L Egret, Yellowhammer
Wrinehill: Grey & R-l Partridge, Wheatear, Linnet
Dave Winnington 18th March 2022
Salt line this morning Willow tit heard not seen Roughwood hollow lane mid point, from path just up bank north side
John 18th March 2022
Meremoor Moss & environs today:
Water Rail in Englesea Brook, 2 Oystercatcher, 5 Buzzards in a thermal ( 1 stooped & talon-tapped a 2nd ) a male Kestrel with a kill, at least 3 Skylark displaying, a partially built Long-tailed Tit nest.
Singing birds incl: – Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Song Thrush, Bullfinch, Greenfinch & Reed Bunting
Also, a couple of Brimstone working along the embankment vegetation + Small Tortoiseshell.
John 17th March 2022
Blackcap singing in my neighbour’s garden first thing.
Rode Heath: c6 Yellowhammer and a couple of Reed Bunting in the hedges on each side of the road plus a L Egret took off from the far side of the same field. Thanks to Dave W for exact location
Nothing of note at Cheshire Close viewpoint ( Mow Cop ).
A walk from Mow Cop Castle east along Gritstone Trail to the woods above Roepark Farm & back: 20/30 Lapwing evenly spaced out in the fields north of the trail, one or two displaying when the wind dropped! In the same area, singing Skylark. A male Brambling below the 1st kissing gate east of the larger aerial.
Colin 16th March 2022
On the golf course at Haslington the pair of Egyptian Geese were still by the pond at the 15th green, also singing chiffchaff
Mike&Andy 15th March 2022
We were also pleased with the Gadwall at Doddington this morning John and can only add Grey Wagtail,Reed Bunting and the 2 Shelducks in the flooded field to your list.
John 15th March 2022
Wybunbury Moss this morning: 3 Oystercatcher over, 2 Sparrowhawk, displaying Buzzard, a drumming male GS Woodpecker, 2 Raven over + a few singing Chiffchaff
Briefly at Doddington: only notable birds not already reported there this month: Gadwall & Snipe
Field of maize stubble at Checkley: overhead – 2 Sparrowhawk, 4 Buzzard, 2 vocal Kestrel and a Peregrine. 2 Red-legged Partridge, Stock Dove, Jay, c 100 Carrion Crow, singing Skylark, Chiffchaff & Song Thrush. The c40 Chaffinch flock were very nervous possibly due to the nearby Sparrowhawk but I managed to note 2 stunning male Brambling amongst them
Glyn Jones 15th March 2022
15th March 2022 – 1030
Borrow Pit Meadows
2 Chiffchaff and 3 female Chaffinch
Hassall Road
Kestrel on telegraph pole
Dave Winnington 15th March 2022
Lawton woods Kingfisher on stream 2 Grey Wagtails near bridge Chiffchaff singing
John 14th March 2022
7 – 13 Mar
EHF/PHF: Gadwall, Pintail, Oystercatcher, Bl-t Godwit, Green Sandpiper, Common Gull, L Egret, Chiffchaff, L Redpoll, Reed Bunting
MGT/RF: Jack & Common Snipe, Cetti’s Warbler, Chiffchaff, Stonechat
FF: Chiffchaff, Greenfinch
Rookery Br: Grey Wagtail
Alsager: Chiffchaff
Astbury Mere: Goldeneye, Oystercatcher, Sand Martin, Chiffchaff, Siskin
Betley Mere: Gadwall, Water Rail, Kingfisher, Cetti’s Warbler
Borrow Pit M/Salt Line: Chiffchaff, Grey Wagtail, Siskin
Brownlow/Wallhill: Oystercatcher, L Egret, Peregrine, Raven
Checkley: R-l Partridge, Stock Dove, Brambling, Reed Bunting
Congleton: Goosander, Kingfisher, Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Siskin
Crewe GC: Egyptian Goose, Snipe
Doddington: Pochard, Goldeneye, Oystercatcher, Common Gull, Kestrel, Raven
Lea Forge: Snipe, Kestrel, Skylark, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit
Meremoor Moss: Oystercatcher, Curlew, Great W Egret, Skylark, Siskin
Queens Park: Barnacle Goose, L Owl, Chiffchaff, Grey Wagtail
The Roaches: Red Kite
Rode Heath/Scholar Green: Egyptian Goose, Grey Partridge, Oystercatcher, L Egret, Chiffchaff, Brambling, Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer
Somerford: Red Kite
Wybunbury: R-l Partridge, Brambling, L Redpoll, Reed Bunting
Mike&Andy 12th March 2022
At Doddington 11 Goldeneye,2 Shelduck,13 Wigeon,14 Pochard,7 Shoveler,5 L.Grebes,Kestrel,Raven,Com Gull and 6 Oystercatchers.Checkley Lane,Brambling,L.Redpoll,Reed Bunting,Greenfinch,Red-l Partridge,Stock Dove,Song and Mistle Thrush.Lea Forge,Grey Wagtail,Snipe,Skylark,Sparrowhawk,Kestrel and Meadow Pipits were the highlights.
Colin 12th March 2022
Three singing chiffchaff on Borrow Pit Meadow this morning
Nigel Henderson 11th March 2022
Congleton
Congleton park
Mistle Thrush
Redwing
River Dane
Siskin
Goosander
Grey Wagtail
Kingfisher
Dipper
Glyn Jones 10th March 2022
10th March 2022 – 1400
Salt Line Way – Chiffchaff heard and then seen.
Borrow Pit Meadows
Comma butterfly and Grey Wagtail near stream and three Siskins near pool.
John 10th March 2022
Queen’s Park, Crewe this morning: a Barnacle Goose with the Canadas, no yellow spiral round its leg. The Little Owl was stood in its hole in the tree by the play area. I couldn’t see any uncommon in the gull flock. Magpies & Carrion Crows with nest material, a Chiffchaff busily feeding, a singing Song thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush on one of the lawns plus a Grey Wagtail and a singing Greenfinch. The vegetation on all three islands has been cut back ( very little cover ) and no sign of the Mandarins!
Dave Winnington 10th March 2022
Scholar Green Chiffchaff singing in trees path towards Lawton lake by Spinney
Colin 10th March 2022
unusual birds on the Haslington golf course walk this morning with a pair of Egyptian Geese walking round the 15th green as if they have every right to be there and a Snipe flushed from the adjacent wet field.
John 9th March 2022
It was hard work on Meremoor Moss this morning in the windy conditions and not much of ‘the small stuff’ was noted! I bumped into one of the Barthomley residents that I know, out with his dog. He told me that he’d heard and then seen 2 Curlew. Later 3 Curlew took off noisily from a couple of fields away. From memory, they are known to have bred there before the millennium and there has been the occasional sighting there since. Let’s hope they stick around?
Other birds of note: the Greylag Geese are back! A pair of were Tufted Duck still on the fishery pools ( noted by Colin earlier this month – they bred there last year ), 2 Oystercatchers, 4 Cormorant ( one with grey patches on it’s face & neck, similar to one I saw at EHF on Monday ), a Great W Egret, singing Skylark, singing Greenfinch & c20 Siskin.
The muddy field where the cattle were is empty & drying out – the farmer arrived while I was there and began turning the ground over. Not long before he arrived, c100 Woodpigeons took flight from an area at the top of the field
Yesterday on Macon Meadows, I watched a couple of Long-tailed Tit for 5 mins. back & to a patch of brambles – visiting a probable nest site?
Quakers Coppice this morning:
Stock Dove paired up; a Grey Heron & a Peregrine flying over ( the latter presumably trying to spook any perched pigeons? ), Goldcrest, very vocal Nuthatch, Song & Mistle Thrush, Bullfinch and small groups of Siskin
John 7th March 2022
28 Feb – 6 Mar
EHF/PHF: Oystercatcher, Curlew, Bl-t Godwit, Dunlin, Snipe, Med & Y-l Gull
MGT/RF: Gadwall, Oystercatcher, Skylark, Stonechat, Tree Sparrow, Meadow Pipit
Alsager: L Egret, Siskin
Astbury Mere: Goldeneye, L Grebe, Common Gull, L Redpoll, Siskin
Brownlow/Wallhill: Oystercatcher
Church Lawton: Brambling
Congleton: Goosander, L Egret, Kingfisher, Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Siskin
Doddington: Pochard, Goldeneye, Oystercatcher, Skylark, Meadow Pipit
Lawton Lake: Dipper
Lea Forge: Skylark, Stonechat, Siskin, Reed Bunting
Meremoor Moss: Oystercatcher, Kestrel, Peregrine, Skylark, Siskin
Queens Park: Mandarin, L Owl
Rode Heath/Scholar Green: Woodcock, Red Kite, Green Woodpecker, Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer
Rode Pool: Egyptian Goose, Pochard, Great W Egret, Kingfisher
Nigel Henderson 6th March 2022
Congleton
Park: Redwing; Mistle Thrush
River Dane: Goosander ♀; also ♂ ♀; Siskin; Kingfisher flying downstream, then perched opposite the Steamboat. ; 2xDipper
John 6th March 2022
Macon Meadows first thing: 2 Sparrowhawk, a GS Woodpecker & a Kingfisher ( both male ). Copulating Long-tailed Tit, singing Bullfinch and c10 Siskin
John 5th March 2022
Macon Meadows first thing: Buzzard calling & GS Woodpecker drumming from the grounds of the old college. Carrion Crow with nest material in there too.
A female Grey Wagtail was back on territory now that the work has been completed to replace the grill at the entrance to the railway culvert.
At home, a Magpie nest in a neighbours garden has been dismantled in two days
Colin & Sylvia 4th March 2022
At Doddington this morning; duck numbers seem to be decreasing slowly with 73 tufted, 15 pochard, 13 goldeneye and 11 shoveler. It was nice to hear skylarks singing along with the mistle thrushes and song thrushes.
Mike&Andy 3rd March 2022
Oystercatchers up to 8 at Doddington with 2 in the flooded field and 6 around the pool this morning and a single Shelduck at the back of the island.
Colin 3rd March 2022
A pair of tufted duck on Mere Moor Fisheries pool this morning along with the oystercatchers. Six cormorants roosting on the big pylon.
Nigel Henderson 3rd March 2022
Congleton: River Dane: Siskin; Goosander ♀ ♂; Dipper; Grey Wagtail
Dave W 3rd March 2022
Dave Winnington
2nd March 2022
Lawton woods Dipper on Stream seen from Causeway Woodcock Flushed from Hedgerow between Brickhouse and Ashbank farm Scholar green
Mike&Andy 3rd March 2022
Mike& Andy
1st March 2022
2 Shelduck and just 2 Lapwing in the flooded field by the units at Doddington this morning. Goldeneye and Pochard in low double figures,2 Shovelers,4 Oystercatchers, singing Mistle Thrush and2 Meadow Pipits . A female Stonechat was the best bird at Lea Forge but decent backup with 44 Siskin,2 Bullfinches, Skylark, Song Thrush and Reed Bunting.
31st March 2022
3 Sand Martins at Doddington this morning but not a lot else.The 2 Shelduck that have been present all week weren’t on show and only Kestrel,Raven,Red-lPartridge,Raven,Stock Dove,3 Teal and 5 Shoveler of any note.
29th March 2022
Egrets are hanging on at Rode Pool with 1 great and 3 lesser this morning. Nest count made in the heronry and gave a total of 47 nests (48 last Year)
28th March 2022
At Doddington this morning duck numbers continue to go down with just 39 tufted and 14 shoveler although it was good to get a few swans back on the water with a total of nine seen.
28th March 2022
28th March 2022 – 1000
Borrow Pit Meadows
2 noisy Ravens over, 4 Chiffchaff, Common Buzzard and a Blackcap heard but not seen but later confirmed by another birder.
2 Canada Geese on pool
Queen’s Park, Crewe – 1500
Drama at last year’s Great Spotted Woodpecker nest site, two Nuthatches had made their home there but this afternoon a female Great Spotted Woodpecker turned up and evicted the Nuthatches and then cleared the nest site out.
28th March 2022
21 – 27 Mar
EHF/PHF: Oystercatcher, Avocet, LR Plover, Bl-t Godwit, Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Y-l Gull, Great W Egret, Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, Brambling, Reed Bunting
Alsager: Raven, Skylark, Yellowhammer
Astbury Mere: Goldeneye, Black-necked Grebe, Med & Common Gull, Sand Martin, Brambling
Basford: R-l Partridge
Blakenhall: R-l Partridge
The Cloud: Stonechat
Congleton: Mandarin, Goosander, Kingfisher, Dipper, Grey Wagtail
Danebower: Red Kite, Raven, Stonechat, Wheatear, Meadow Pipit
Doddington: Gadwall, Pochard, Goldeneye, R-l Partridge, Oystercatcher, Snipe, Raven, Reed Bunting
Meremoor Moss: Oystercatcher, Skylark, Siskin
Mow Cop: Green Woodpecker, Kestrel, Lapwing, Skylark
Queens Park: L Owl, Grey Wagtail
Rode Heath/Scholar Green: L Egret, Common & Y-l Gull
25th March 2022
Spent the morning at Doddington in the hope of seeing some hirundines. No luck but noted R-l Partridge by the wet area close to the main road – viewed from the gated entrance to the units.
One Raven looked to be dominating the sky above the Hall: I watched it ‘escort’ another Raven ( that appeared from the east ) away from the area, then repeat the action with it, or another Raven, in the opposite direction. Four birds seen in the air together while I could hear another three calling.
– Singing birds: – Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Goldcrest, Song Thrush & Nuthatch
– Displaying birds: – GC Grebe, GS Woodpecker & Skylark
– Adult with food: – Carrion Crow
I heard a Gadwall, saw a Snipe fly overhead, probably disturbed by the nearby horses being exercised also c35 very mobile Linnet.
Most of the species reported on the blog earlier this month also present.
Driving back way home via Wrinehill, while passing through Blakenhall, I noted R-l Partridge on the grass verges at both ends of the village.
Back at home while making a cuppa, I watched through the window as a House Mouse pinch peanuts off my bird table and then run back under my neighbour’s garden shed!
25th March 2022
Congleton
Park: Treecreeper; Chiffchaff
River Dane: Mandarin Duck ♂ ♀; Kingfisher; Grey Wagtails; Dipper; Goosander ♀
24th March 2022
An attentive pair of Mallard with a single, recently fledged, duckling at Mere Moor Fishery today – presumably the rest of the brood were predated?
23rd March 2022
Shoveler up to 49 at Doddington this afternoon but little other change.
23rd March 2022
Yesterday afternoon at Alsager ( Fannyscroft ): Jay, Rook ( singing? ), Raven, displaying Skylark, a very green Chiffchaff & a couple of Yellowhammer.
This morning at the viewpoint at Cheshire Close ( Mow Cop ): a Green Woodpecker yaffling in the distance ( coming from Roe Park, one of my SWaBBS patches – hopefully it sticks around and I can put it on my list next month? ). Also, singing Skylark and a displaying pipit. Two birds seen in the area where Tree Pipits were reported in previous years…..
Popped in to Elton Hall Flash for the Avocets on the way home via Astbury Mere CP for the Black-necked Grebe.
21st March 2022
A decent count of 29 Shoveler at Doddington this morning but winter wildfowl on the wane with 2 Pochard and 9 Goldeneye showing.Around the pool,Raven,5 Oystercatchers,Stock Doves,Coal Tit and Nuthatch on the feeders and a mixed flock of mostly Fieldfare and Redwing in trees along the main road.
21st March 2022
14 – 20 Mar
EHF/PHF: Garganey, Gadwall, Pintail, Oystercatcher, LR Plover, Bl-t Godwit, Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Great W Egret, Skylark, Sand & House Martin, Swallow, Grey Wagtail, L Redpoll, Siskin, Reed Bunting
Astbury Mere: Goldeneye, Sand Martin
Borrow Pit M/Salt Line: Willow Tit
Checkley: R-l Partridge, Stock Dove, Brambling
Crewe GC: Egyptian Goose
Danebower: Wheatear
Doddington: Gadwall, Pochard, Goldeneye, Oystercatcher, Snipe, Grey Wagtail, Reed Bunting
Lawton Lake/Woods: Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail
Meremoor Moss: Water Rail, Oystercatcher, Kestrel, Skylark, Siskin
Mow Cop: Lapwing, Skylark, Brambling
Rode Heath/Scholar Green: L Egret, Yellowhammer
Wrinehill: Grey & R-l Partridge, Wheatear, Linnet
18th March 2022
Salt line this morning Willow tit heard not seen Roughwood hollow lane mid point, from path just up bank north side
18th March 2022
Meremoor Moss & environs today:
Water Rail in Englesea Brook, 2 Oystercatcher, 5 Buzzards in a thermal ( 1 stooped & talon-tapped a 2nd ) a male Kestrel with a kill, at least 3 Skylark displaying, a partially built Long-tailed Tit nest.
Singing birds incl: – Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Song Thrush, Bullfinch, Greenfinch & Reed Bunting
Also, a couple of Brimstone working along the embankment vegetation + Small Tortoiseshell.
17th March 2022
Blackcap singing in my neighbour’s garden first thing.
Rode Heath: c6 Yellowhammer and a couple of Reed Bunting in the hedges on each side of the road plus a L Egret took off from the far side of the same field. Thanks to Dave W for exact location
Nothing of note at Cheshire Close viewpoint ( Mow Cop ).
A walk from Mow Cop Castle east along Gritstone Trail to the woods above Roepark Farm & back: 20/30 Lapwing evenly spaced out in the fields north of the trail, one or two displaying when the wind dropped! In the same area, singing Skylark. A male Brambling below the 1st kissing gate east of the larger aerial.
16th March 2022
On the golf course at Haslington the pair of Egyptian Geese were still by the pond at the 15th green, also singing chiffchaff
15th March 2022
We were also pleased with the Gadwall at Doddington this morning John and can only add Grey Wagtail,Reed Bunting and the 2 Shelducks in the flooded field to your list.
15th March 2022
Wybunbury Moss this morning: 3 Oystercatcher over, 2 Sparrowhawk, displaying Buzzard, a drumming male GS Woodpecker, 2 Raven over + a few singing Chiffchaff
Briefly at Doddington: only notable birds not already reported there this month: Gadwall & Snipe
Field of maize stubble at Checkley: overhead – 2 Sparrowhawk, 4 Buzzard, 2 vocal Kestrel and a Peregrine. 2 Red-legged Partridge, Stock Dove, Jay, c 100 Carrion Crow, singing Skylark, Chiffchaff & Song Thrush. The c40 Chaffinch flock were very nervous possibly due to the nearby Sparrowhawk but I managed to note 2 stunning male Brambling amongst them
15th March 2022
15th March 2022 – 1030
Borrow Pit Meadows
2 Chiffchaff and 3 female Chaffinch
Hassall Road
Kestrel on telegraph pole
15th March 2022
Lawton woods Kingfisher on stream 2 Grey Wagtails near bridge Chiffchaff singing
14th March 2022
7 – 13 Mar
EHF/PHF: Gadwall, Pintail, Oystercatcher, Bl-t Godwit, Green Sandpiper, Common Gull, L Egret, Chiffchaff, L Redpoll, Reed Bunting
MGT/RF: Jack & Common Snipe, Cetti’s Warbler, Chiffchaff, Stonechat
FF: Chiffchaff, Greenfinch
Rookery Br: Grey Wagtail
Alsager: Chiffchaff
Astbury Mere: Goldeneye, Oystercatcher, Sand Martin, Chiffchaff, Siskin
Betley Mere: Gadwall, Water Rail, Kingfisher, Cetti’s Warbler
Borrow Pit M/Salt Line: Chiffchaff, Grey Wagtail, Siskin
Brownlow/Wallhill: Oystercatcher, L Egret, Peregrine, Raven
Checkley: R-l Partridge, Stock Dove, Brambling, Reed Bunting
Congleton: Goosander, Kingfisher, Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Siskin
Crewe GC: Egyptian Goose, Snipe
Doddington: Pochard, Goldeneye, Oystercatcher, Common Gull, Kestrel, Raven
Lea Forge: Snipe, Kestrel, Skylark, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit
Meremoor Moss: Oystercatcher, Curlew, Great W Egret, Skylark, Siskin
Queens Park: Barnacle Goose, L Owl, Chiffchaff, Grey Wagtail
The Roaches: Red Kite
Rode Heath/Scholar Green: Egyptian Goose, Grey Partridge, Oystercatcher, L Egret, Chiffchaff, Brambling, Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer
Somerford: Red Kite
Wybunbury: R-l Partridge, Brambling, L Redpoll, Reed Bunting
12th March 2022
At Doddington 11 Goldeneye,2 Shelduck,13 Wigeon,14 Pochard,7 Shoveler,5 L.Grebes,Kestrel,Raven,Com Gull and 6 Oystercatchers.Checkley Lane,Brambling,L.Redpoll,Reed Bunting,Greenfinch,Red-l Partridge,Stock Dove,Song and Mistle Thrush.Lea Forge,Grey Wagtail,Snipe,Skylark,Sparrowhawk,Kestrel and Meadow Pipits were the highlights.
12th March 2022
Three singing chiffchaff on Borrow Pit Meadow this morning
11th March 2022
Congleton
Congleton park
Mistle Thrush
Redwing
River Dane
Siskin
Goosander
Grey Wagtail
Kingfisher
Dipper
10th March 2022
10th March 2022 – 1400
Salt Line Way – Chiffchaff heard and then seen.
Borrow Pit Meadows
Comma butterfly and Grey Wagtail near stream and three Siskins near pool.
10th March 2022
Queen’s Park, Crewe this morning: a Barnacle Goose with the Canadas, no yellow spiral round its leg. The Little Owl was stood in its hole in the tree by the play area. I couldn’t see any uncommon in the gull flock. Magpies & Carrion Crows with nest material, a Chiffchaff busily feeding, a singing Song thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush on one of the lawns plus a Grey Wagtail and a singing Greenfinch. The vegetation on all three islands has been cut back ( very little cover ) and no sign of the Mandarins!
10th March 2022
Scholar Green Chiffchaff singing in trees path towards Lawton lake by Spinney
10th March 2022
unusual birds on the Haslington golf course walk this morning with a pair of Egyptian Geese walking round the 15th green as if they have every right to be there and a Snipe flushed from the adjacent wet field.
9th March 2022
It was hard work on Meremoor Moss this morning in the windy conditions and not much of ‘the small stuff’ was noted! I bumped into one of the Barthomley residents that I know, out with his dog. He told me that he’d heard and then seen 2 Curlew. Later 3 Curlew took off noisily from a couple of fields away. From memory, they are known to have bred there before the millennium and there has been the occasional sighting there since. Let’s hope they stick around?
Other birds of note: the Greylag Geese are back! A pair of were Tufted Duck still on the fishery pools ( noted by Colin earlier this month – they bred there last year ), 2 Oystercatchers, 4 Cormorant ( one with grey patches on it’s face & neck, similar to one I saw at EHF on Monday ), a Great W Egret, singing Skylark, singing Greenfinch & c20 Siskin.
The muddy field where the cattle were is empty & drying out – the farmer arrived while I was there and began turning the ground over. Not long before he arrived, c100 Woodpigeons took flight from an area at the top of the field
Yesterday on Macon Meadows, I watched a couple of Long-tailed Tit for 5 mins. back & to a patch of brambles – visiting a probable nest site?
9th March 2022
Congleton
Park:
Redwing; Mistle Thrush; Nuthatch (Pam)
River Dane:
Goosander ♀; Siskin; Grey Wagtail; Kingfisher (Pam) ; Dipper (Pam)
7th March 2022
Quakers Coppice this morning:
Stock Dove paired up; a Grey Heron & a Peregrine flying over ( the latter presumably trying to spook any perched pigeons? ), Goldcrest, very vocal Nuthatch, Song & Mistle Thrush, Bullfinch and small groups of Siskin
7th March 2022
28 Feb – 6 Mar
EHF/PHF: Oystercatcher, Curlew, Bl-t Godwit, Dunlin, Snipe, Med & Y-l Gull
MGT/RF: Gadwall, Oystercatcher, Skylark, Stonechat, Tree Sparrow, Meadow Pipit
Alsager: L Egret, Siskin
Astbury Mere: Goldeneye, L Grebe, Common Gull, L Redpoll, Siskin
Brownlow/Wallhill: Oystercatcher
Church Lawton: Brambling
Congleton: Goosander, L Egret, Kingfisher, Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Siskin
Doddington: Pochard, Goldeneye, Oystercatcher, Skylark, Meadow Pipit
Lawton Lake: Dipper
Lea Forge: Skylark, Stonechat, Siskin, Reed Bunting
Meremoor Moss: Oystercatcher, Kestrel, Peregrine, Skylark, Siskin
Queens Park: Mandarin, L Owl
Rode Heath/Scholar Green: Woodcock, Red Kite, Green Woodpecker, Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer
Rode Pool: Egyptian Goose, Pochard, Great W Egret, Kingfisher
6th March 2022
Congleton
Park: Redwing; Mistle Thrush
River Dane: Goosander ♀; also ♂ ♀; Siskin; Kingfisher flying downstream, then perched opposite the Steamboat. ; 2xDipper
6th March 2022
Macon Meadows first thing: 2 Sparrowhawk, a GS Woodpecker & a Kingfisher ( both male ). Copulating Long-tailed Tit, singing Bullfinch and c10 Siskin
5th March 2022
Macon Meadows first thing: Buzzard calling & GS Woodpecker drumming from the grounds of the old college. Carrion Crow with nest material in there too.
A female Grey Wagtail was back on territory now that the work has been completed to replace the grill at the entrance to the railway culvert.
At home, a Magpie nest in a neighbours garden has been dismantled in two days
4th March 2022
At Doddington this morning; duck numbers seem to be decreasing slowly with 73 tufted, 15 pochard, 13 goldeneye and 11 shoveler. It was nice to hear skylarks singing along with the mistle thrushes and song thrushes.
3rd March 2022
Oystercatchers up to 8 at Doddington with 2 in the flooded field and 6 around the pool this morning and a single Shelduck at the back of the island.
3rd March 2022
A pair of tufted duck on Mere Moor Fisheries pool this morning along with the oystercatchers. Six cormorants roosting on the big pylon.
3rd March 2022
Congleton: River Dane: Siskin; Goosander ♀ ♂; Dipper; Grey Wagtail
3rd March 2022
Dave Winnington
2nd March 2022
Lawton woods Dipper on Stream seen from Causeway Woodcock Flushed from Hedgerow between Brickhouse and Ashbank farm Scholar green
3rd March 2022
Mike& Andy
1st March 2022
2 Shelduck and just 2 Lapwing in the flooded field by the units at Doddington this morning. Goldeneye and Pochard in low double figures,2 Shovelers,4 Oystercatchers, singing Mistle Thrush and2 Meadow Pipits . A female Stonechat was the best bird at Lea Forge but decent backup with 44 Siskin,2 Bullfinches, Skylark, Song Thrush and Reed Bunting.